We had heard much about the border crossing from Arica in Chile to Tacna in Peru. Various forms of various stories with varying degrees of success, tribulation, discomfort, swindling and horror. Still, one thing that I was fast learning is not to believe the Lonely Planet books. Of course, don’t disregard them when they tell you of dangerous areas or things to watch out for in different countries, cities and towns, but I would say that as long as you exercise that very useful trait of common-sense you will be fine. Of course, there are parameters and circumstances that are out of your control, but as with any new place you visit, if you keep your head about you and arm yourself with a bit of information and local knowledge prior to travel, you increase your chances of avoiding situations in which you might find yourself coming unstuck.